When the Dodgers signed Canadian-born veteran left-hander Erik Bedard to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training camp back on January 18, they did so for a couple of reasons. First and foremost is that he provides starting pitching depth behind the projected Opening Day rotation of Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Hyun-jin Ryu, Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson – especially with the rather lengthy injury résumés of the latter two. Another reason is because if he were to somehow make the team out of spring training, he would make the major league minimum of $507,500 plus whatever undisclosed performance bonuses that are included in his contract. But perhaps the underlying factor is that Bedard is an extremely low risk/potentially high reward signing for a guy with 11 years of major league experience.

What makes the Bedard signing even more interesting is that the last general manager that he played for before being outright released by the Tampa Bay Rays on August 3, 2014 was Andrew Friedman – the Dodgers new President of Baseball Operations. This alone suggests that there was and apparently still is something about Bedard that Friedman likes. Taking it one step further, Bedard’s minor league deal with the Dodgers allows him to opt-out if he isn’t added to the 25-man roster by May 1. And while this might not seem like a big deal for a guy who celebrated his 36th birthday six days ago, it could prove to be a huge deal.

How so, you ask?

Well, if you happened to see Bedard pitch on Monday afternoon, you undoubtedly noticed that he did exceptionally well in his two innings of work against the defending World Champion San Francisco Giants. In those two innings, Bedard faced six batters without allowing a run or a hit.

Although Bedard will most likely begin the 2015 season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, it appears that he has pitched himself into the number six spot in the starting rotation should one be necessary.
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Bedard did receive some help from Dodgers left fielder Andre Ethier on Monday. After issuing a leadoff walk to Giants second baseman Brandon Hicks – the first batter he faced – Bedard uncorked a wild pitch (which should have been ruled a passed ball by Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal) sending Hicks to second base. Bedard then got Giants right fielder Jarrett Parker to ground out to Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez moving Hicks to third. Giants center fielder Angel Pagan then sent a short fly ball to left field in front of a hard-charging Andre Ethier, who made the catch and nailed Hicks at the plate on an outstanding throw. Bedard would then retire the Giants in order in his second and final inning of work striking out former NL MVP Buster Posey and Brandon Belt.

Ethier’s throw to Grandal was right on the money to nail Brandon Hicks at the plate.
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Through two spring training appearances Bedard has allowed one run on two hits with a walk and two strikeouts in four innings of work. And while he fully understands his situation and has said that he is more than willing to accept a minor league assignment out of spring training, his performance thus far has undoubtedly caught the eye of the many scouts who have seen him pitch this spring.

Although Bedard is a long shot to make the Dodgers Opening Day roster, he has put himself into a position where he may be the first one called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City in the event of an injury to the starting five – and from Bedard’s perspective, this is exactly where he had hoped to be.

“I know where I stand,” Bedard said. “The game is still fun, and I like playing baseball.”